2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Master’s Degree Schools
[Public Relations & Advertising](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 605 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public relations & advertising students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public relations & advertising, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
Our analysis ranked Florida State University the best value for a degree in public relations & advertising in the United States. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $13,849. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,722. That is a strong return on a $13,849 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #2 place for public relations & advertising. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $52,014. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for public relations & advertising. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $18,523. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $48,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $56,835. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in public relations & advertising will find it at Kean University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Arizona State University landed the #6 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $20,847. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $56,291 early in their careers. Set against $20,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $22,444. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $43,057 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of North Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Southeastern Louisiana University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $24,323. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $42,682 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Washburn University earned the #10 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $61,463. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Maryland University College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $23,276. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $65,890. That is a strong return on a $23,276 median debt.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $40,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Delaware earned the #14 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #15 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Towson University landed the #17 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $21,241. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Troy University landed the #18 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $46,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #19 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Ball State University came in at #20 for value in public relations & advertising this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Early-career public relations & advertising graduates make about $38,020. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Park University earned the #21 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Park University generally make around $52,616. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
Middle Georgia State University earned the #22 position for value in public relations & advertising this year. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,038, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. Typical student debt for public relations & advertising graduates is $26,976. Public Relations & Advertising graduates of Middle Georgia State University earn a median of $48,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Georgia State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Sacred Heart ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Set in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410. Students borrow a median of $12,375 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of Sacred Heart generally make around $32,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Georgia Southern University landed the #24 spot for public relations & advertising value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Public Relations & Advertising graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $47,921. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public relations & advertising schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete the public relations & advertising program here. Soon after graduation, public relations & advertising degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Relations & Advertising Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public relations & advertising:
Other Public Relations & Advertising Degree Levels
Explore the best-value public relations & advertising schools at other degree levels:
View All Public Relations & Advertising Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 605 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
